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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Jerry Flanagan from Ratoath in Meath
# Protests
300 taxi drivers protest in Dublin city over ads, parking and too many taxis
They said that they are concerned about the affects that the taxi regulations are having on their livelihood.
UP TO 300 taxi drivers rallied in Dublin today over a range of issues they say are affecting them.
Their concerns stem from proposals in a consultation paper on reforms to the industry that is being considered by the government.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Christopher Humphrey of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, said that the issues they were protesting over include:
- The oversupply of taxis
- The lack of parking facilities
- “The ranks being taken away from us because of the new Luas”
- Junior minister Alan Kelly bringing in legislation to ban advertising from taxis, which a lot of drivers get revenue from.
The proposed reforms include the introduction of a local area hackney system, lowering of entry level standards for wheelchair accessible vehicles, and credit card transaction costs.
It is also proposed that a number of key taxi ranks in Dublin be removed.
“Basically as the regulations are being hammered out here we’re being crucified,” said Humphrey, who described the issues as “only the tip of the iceberg”.
Humphreys said he also has a problem with drivers having to take credit cards for any amount because there is not a cap on the amount paid.
A meeting is due to take place tomorrow between the NTA and an advisory committee, which will make recommendations on the issues.
If taxi drivers aren’t happy, there will be “an awful lot more protests”, said Humphrey.
- Additional reporting Michelle Hennessy
Read: Taxi drivers to hold rally outside the Dáil>
